How To Install Crown Molding
This article was co-authored by Jeff Huynh. Jeff Huynh is the General Manager of Handyman Rescue Team, a full service solution in home services, renovations, and repair in the Greater Seattle area. He has over five years of handyman experience. He has a BS in Business Administration from the San Francisco State University and his Certificate in Industrial Electronics Technology from North Seattle College. This article has been viewed 80,024 times.
Crown molding is a small detail that lends a touch of timeless elegance to a room. Installing crown molding is an intimidating prospect for many amateur handymen, but in fact, the process is not as difficult as you may think. You can learn how to install crown molding yourself with a little patience by following the steps below.
What Is Crown Molding
Simply described, crown molding, a.k.a. cornice, is a material that is usually installed between the wall and ceiling connecting point.
However, these days the use of crown molding is not limited to sealing cracks, instead you can use it to serve a wide purpose to enhance the aesthetics of your living place. You can easily transform an ordinary space into a well-organized one by applying crown molding.
Like other moldings, it is also trim, but it installs only on the top of the wall or ceiling. In addition to the ceiling, today, we also see it to be used on top of the cabinets, doors and windows, entryways, and other decorative locations like a mantel.
In the world of trim, crown molding is king. Sal Vaglica described this way. According to him, Crown molding helps elevate a rooms stature, bringing the eye up to the ceiling and replicating design elements found in other moldings to create a coherent and polished aesthetic for the space.
How To Install Crown Molding: Cut The Molding
Swivel the saw to a 45-degree angle to match the direction of the molding, set the board against the saw at the mark and make the cut.
For scarf joints, do not turn the boards upside down. They will lay flat on the saw. The swiveling part of the saw table stays centered during this cut. Instead, tilt the saw blade to a 45-degree angle and make the cut. The boards should then fit perfectly together.
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How Do You Nail Crown Molding With A Nail Gun
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. Furthermore, what nails do I use for crown molding?
Nail the bottom of the crown to the wall, using 6d finish nails about every 16 in. You don’t need to find the studs, because you’ll be nailing into the walls’ top plates. Assuming you aren’t using the 16d nail trick, nail the top of the crown either to the blocking or to the ceiling joists, again using 6d finish nails.
Likewise, which nailer is best for installing crown Moulding? Best Nail Guns For Crown Molding
- Hitachi NT65MA4 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer with Air Duster.
- BOSTITCH N62FNK-2 15 Gauge 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch Angled Finish Nailer.
- Senco 4G0001N FinishPro 42 XP 15-Gauge 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 Inch Finish Nailer with Case.
- Freeman PFN1564 15 Gauge 34 Degree Angle Finish Nailer.
Similarly one may ask, do you have to nail crown molding into studs?
Crown MoldingMost of the time there is no need to hit the vertical wall studs with the nails because the top 3 inches of the wall framing feature two horizontal ceiling plates, each 1-1/2 inches thick. As long as you‘re inserting the nails into the top 3 inches of wall, locating studs isn’t necessary.
Can you use brad nails for crown molding?
How Do You Use A Nail Gun To Install Crown Molding
Crown molding is a decorative trim, an aesthetic touch of interior decorating that can change the atmosphere of any room. It’s installed at the joining line of the wall and ceiling, and different styles suit different rooms. Crown molding can also be used to top of cabinets and wall units. Moldings can be ornamental or plain, narrow or wide, and sometimes they’re installed to hide defects in the walls.
Installation requires precision in measuring, cutting and fitting so that the molding merges perfectly at the angle of the walls and at the corners. Having the right tools handy is important for a perfect fit and precise installation, and it will make the job easier. A pneumatic or cordless nail gun is one power tool that will come in handy. A powerful nailing gun can nail precisely and deeply, without damaging the wood like a hammer can. Look for a finish nail gun with a comfortable grip that is lightweight and easy to handle, suitable for home carpentry and woodwork projects.
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How To Choose A Nail Gun For Crown Molding
It is quite obvious for you to get confused looking at the various options available in the market.
For you to select a proper nailer for crown molding you must first know the three types of nailers which are available in the market:
The finish nailer is the best choice for crown molding because it provides a firm support.
As most of the crown molding is thick so the finish nailer provide the exact size of gauge needle to make sure the task is completed without any hassle.
Now, you are well acquainted with the nailer you have to buy for a crown molding. However, selecting the one is still a big issue because there are plenty of finish nailers.
For selecting a right finish nailer consider the following things:
Cut The Crown Molding
Measure and mark the crown molding piece for cutting. While you can miter-cut crown molding with a manual miter box and saw, it’s better to use a power miter saw, as cuts will be more precise.
Unlike the technique used to cut construction lumber, where you position the workpiece flat against the miter saw table and fence, crown moldings are cut with pieces positioned at a 45-degree angle, upside-down on the miter saw table. The top edge of the crown molding that will meet the ceiling goes flat against the horizontal saw table, while the bottom edge of the crown molding rests against the vertical back fence of the saw. The piece of crown molding will be positioned at an angle as you cut it.
This technique can be tricky, so it’s a good idea to practice with some scrap pieces before you turn to cutting full pieces of molding.
To cut pieces that will meet at inside corners: An inside corner is one with a concave, inward-facing 45-degree angle. For the left side of the corner, miter-cut with the saw blade rotated right at 45 degrees. Discard the left side of the cut and save the right side of the cut. For the right side of the corner, rotate the saw blade left at 45 degrees. Discard the right side of the cut and save the left side.
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Uses Of Crown Molding
Crown molding was once exclusively used to close the gap between the wall and the ceiling. Now it is becoming useful material to decorate our homes and different types of furniture. It reflects the persons personality and raises the worth of a home.
We see crown moldings are being used to bring a sophisticated feel to a furnished space, add style and narrow the gap in a room with a high ceiling. Not only does it function to transform the beauty of old houses, but it also works to transform the grace of modern homes into a classy, elegant, and vintage look according to your personality.
Lets look at some specific areas where crown molding can be used.
Lets have a look at them in the following section
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Likewise, How do you measure cabinets for crown molding?
Measure a piece of crown molding equal to the length of the cabinet. Place your tape measure on the edge of the crown and extend it to the length of one cabinet side. Use a pencil to mark the exact spot that needs to be cut. Repeat for each cabinet side.
Also, Is crown molding outdated?
To answer your burning question: No crown molding will never go out of style. Keep the above tips in mind when considering purchasing crown molding for your home.
Moreover, Can you put crown molding on Ikea cabinets?
If you are considering a traditional or transitional style IKEA kitchen, you can make it look more polished and finished by adding stock molding like crown molding, light rail, and baseboard from your local big box store. Crown or cove molding can help build your cabinetry up to the ceiling for a fully built-in look.
How much does it cost to add crown molding to cabinets?
The average you will spend starts from $7 per linear foot, depending on the type you choose and the labor cost of installing them. For a typical 10 x 10 kitchen, the crown molding cost will range from $210 and $570 for the labor, and from $2,000 to $4,000 including materials.
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Does Crown Molding Serve A Purpose
What are the other benefits of crown molding? The original purpose still holds true: They clean up the space where walls and ceiling meet. But crown has become much more than that. When its done right, crown molding helps lift the space, drawing your eye up to make the ceiling feel higher, says Dixon.
The Difference Between Wood And Mdf Crown Mouldings
MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard and is a recycled wood product. It is densely packed with binders and resins to bind it together. The entire board is squeezed under pressure to be very dense. MDF crown mouldings come in pre-specified lengths only.
Wood mouldings are made of any wood that has been dried in a heated kiln to lower the materials moisture content to between the 6% and 12% range. We have a wild selection of wood crown mouldings in stock to suit your style. Wood mouldings come in a convenient variety of lengths up to 16. We also have a line of pre-primed wood mouldings that come in 16 lengths. Paint or stain, these wood mouldings can be finished in an assortment of ways.
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Filling The Nail Holes With Putty
Finally to fill the nail holes you need a non-shrinking filler or putty. After filling the holes let them dry and lightly sand the areas to remove excess filler. Usually, it takes 24 hours for the putty to dry. In case of any scratches which may happen during the installation process use wax based filler to conceal them. You can use chalk to smooth them out too. Follow the manufacturers directions accordingly before applying the filler or putty. In case of wood-color crown moulding you have to choose the filler with proper color. You can paint over after using normal putty too.
Final Thought
Using a nail gun is easy and time saving when it comes to installing crown moulding as they allow you to install fragile moulding without destroying them. So give it a try and make you interior splash with a beautiful and artistic new edge.
Craftsman V20 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Craftsman V20 cordless Brad Nailer kit is one of the finest kits found on Amazon.
As the name already mentions, this nail kit is from the brand craftsman and is a cordless machine.
The weight of this machine is not that heavy making it easy to use. It weighs approximately 7.64 pounds hence an ideal tool that can be used.
Cordless design
The cordless design enables the users to use this machine anywhere possible. This not only adds comfort but also eliminates the need for compressors and hoses that are needed by other nail guns
Works in all climate conditions
Another impressive feature of this Nailer kit is that it works consistently in all climate conditions and variations, changing the material or place. The performance of this machine is never compromised.
Sleek and lightweight
Craftsman V20 is designed to be intelligent and light to provide you with better access and handling.
It also has an added belt hook that makes it easier to carry and provides a little storage.
Improved results
Craftsman V20 has proved to have consistent and enhanced results. It has the unique feature of delivering t tool-free depth settings for a quicker and better setup. Not only this, but it also offers tool-free jam and stall settings for easier handling.
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How To Install Crown Moulding With A Nail Gun
Installing crown molding uplifts the aesthetics of your interior by giving your wall and ceiling a distinctive decorative look. Depending on the size and designs of your moulding you can definitely bring your own artistic touch in your own home. It can be used to cover any kind of defect on your walls too.
You may think that it will be a hassle to install the crown moulding by yourself and you will need professional help for it. But you can easily install crown moulding with a Nail gun by following a few simple and easy steps. Using a nail to install crown moulding can save time and keeps the moulding damage free which can occur due to the use of a hammer.
Now follow the five easy steps to install Crown molding with the help of a nail gun.
Nailing Crown Molding To A Profile Backing
As you probably know, most crown molding sits at an angle from your wall to your ceiling. This means that to nail it off, there are relatively narrow points where the molding hits a solid surface. To avoid dealing with this, you can cut a piece of plywood or scrap board to fit into the triangular space behind the molding.
In this case, you nail the profile backing to the studs, rafters, and top plate. Then when you are ready to put the molding in, you can nail it wherever you want into the piece of scrap. This allows you to focus more on the finished look rather than making sure you are nailing through the right place on the molding and into framing behind the wall.
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Crown Molding Is Marks Favorite Part Of Every Interior Room Remodel And So We Take Extra Special Care To Make Sure We Get It Right
We use a nailing technique to make sure we get a really secure connection between the crown molding and the walls and ceiling.
Getting a strong connection to the walls is pretty straightforward. Just make sure you nail to the studs.
But for the ceiling, it can get trickier. You might not have much behind the drywall. So we use a pneumatic nailer to get an X-nail connection to the ceiling.
Check out how to X-nail, and more reasons why Mark uses this technique for crown molding, in this quick tip video.
The 5 Best Nail Gun For Crown Molding
In the busy world today, people look for techniques that could minimize their work time to the most and give them their desired results.
One of such time-saving gadgets is a nail gun that saves a lot of your time and hard work and provides you with accurate and better results.
A nail gun is a fantastic gadget to drill nails into woods and hard materials such as concrete.
It serves the purpose of providing you with hassle-free drilling and improved craftsmanship.
A nail gun can also be used for crown moldings done in houses, hotels, workplaces, and other places to increase the charm and beauty by adding an artistic touch.
Are you looking for the best nail gun for crown molding? Get yourself comfortable because we have a detailed article to guide you to select the top nail gun found on Amazon.
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What Nails Do You Use For Crown Molding
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. Accordingly, can you use brad nails for crown molding?
Both are commonly used for installing baseboard, chair rail, door and window casing, crown molding, and door frames. One advantage to 15-gauge nails is that they are collated at an angle, which allows the nose of the nailer to reach into tighter spaces. Brad nailers use smaller 18-gauge nails up to 2 inches long.
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Likewise, how long should nails be for crown molding? Crown is typically nailed up with a 2 finishing nail and a compressor and finishing gun. Outside corners are usually done with a brad nailer and 1 brad nails with glue. Studs are generally 3-1/2, drywall a ½ and the crown moulding a minimum of ½ therefore 2 finishing nails are necessary.
Subsequently, question is, do you glue or nail crown molding?
That makes the crown molding easier to hold and the cut mark easier to see. Use construction adhesive on all raileven where you can nail into studs and ceiling joists. That way, you can use just enough nails to hold the trim in place until the adhesive sets, and you‘ll have fewer nail holes to fill.
What angle do you cut crown molding?
Using a power miter saw is the best way to cut crown moulding angles. The saw can be adjusted to cut at any angleset it to 45 degrees for one side of a standard 90-degree corner. The saw can be set to 45 degrees to the left or 45 degrees to the right.
